Desired Results

Some time ago, a friend of mine invited me to join her in a Firewalk. "What is a Firewalk?" I asked in response. "The Firewalk is an ancient ritual, a ceremony if you will, honoring the interconnectedness of all living things. It is about healing, overcoming fear, a metaphor to life. It teaches us to listen to our inner guidance and to be responsible for our actions." She said. "Come with me and see for yourself. "Is it really possible to walk on hot coals and not burn?" I responded. "Yes" was the answer.

"It is a six hour evening workshop in paying attention to our responses and thoughts each step of the way, where you will become aware of your actions and make clear choices for yourself. When you are willing to take a risk and step into the possibility that each one of us has a definite impact upon the world, you become responsible for yourself and your actions. The Firewalk offers solutions on how to approach life with mind wide open, not in fear, assumption or judgment, rather in conscious choice so that you can broaden your understanding of yourself, each other and our planet." She informed me.

We continued to chat into the night about this curious, ancient ritual. I asked so many questions that finally she said, "You just have to experience this yourself. I can not do this wonderful experience justice. "But what if I don't walk? Will other people there judge me, or think me as a sissy?" I queered. "I don't know if I can walk on hot coals?

"Just come and get your own answers." she finalized, indicating that she has shared with me all she could. "Why are you going again if you have already attended and got as much out of it as I think you did by what you shared?" I added quickly. "Because every time I go, I learn more about me" she responded. I get more and more in touch with my inner self, I become more aware of what I am doing in the moment that enables me to make clearer and clearer decisions. I get more in touch with who I am and I am able to let go of my fears, overcome my own limitations that I set up for myself. I understand the meaning of responsibility, self awareness and acceptance in a way that out there in the real world, when challenges happen or an obstacle comes in my way, I can handle with less reaction and more balance through conscious choice.

It took me some time to digest all that we talked about. Every day my mind would wonder to our conversation. I agonized about going. I was curious, I was in doubt, I was scared of burning my feet. I was at unrest. It was almost as if my conscious mind would argue that this was craziness and my unconscious mind would challenge "You will not find your peace until you attend and experience this poignant event. It's only your fear of the unknown that stands in your way." At times it even told me that these are the thoughts that limit me in my daily life and precisely what stands in my way of getting what I want. I tried to shut this part of my mind off to no avail. It persisted pushing my buttons.

The Firewalk was just days away when I finally made the decision to go. Wondering if space was still available, I phoned my friend for the contact information. "Great, I am so glad you are coming with me," my friend informed me, perhaps more excited than I was reserved. I made the call, paid my fee and waited in anxious frenzy for the next two days until the evening of the Firewalk.